House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
Name	House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
Chamber	House of Commons of Canada
Type	Standing committee
Jurisdiction	Environment, sustainable development, federal statutes
Established	1984
Chairs	Various
Members	MPs
Parent committee	Standing Committee

House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development is a standing committee of the House of Commons of Canada that examines environmental policy, conservation, pollution control, and implementation of federal statutes related to ecological stewardship. It conducts reviews of statutes, departmental estimates, and public policy initiatives involving federal agencies, regulatory frameworks, and international commitments. The committee contributes to parliamentary oversight through studies, hearings, and reports that address issues from climate change to biodiversity.

Mandate and Jurisdiction

The committee's mandate derives from orders of the House of Commons of Canada and the standing orders that assign oversight of the Environment and Climate Change Canada portfolio, associated statutes such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Impact Assessment Act (Canada), and elements of the Species at Risk Act. Its jurisdiction extends to federal responsibilities related to pollution prevention, environmental assessment, parks and conservation involving Parks Canada mandates, and implementation of obligations under international instruments like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. The remit includes scrutiny of spending estimates for departments such as Environment and Climate Change Canada and agencies including the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (defunct) and contemporary bodies analogous to the Auditor General of Canada’s reports.

Membership and Leadership

Membership comprises Members of Parliament appointed by party whips from caucuses represented in the House of Commons of Canada; party proportions reflect the composition of the chamber following federal elections such as the 2015 Canadian federal election and the 2019 Canadian federal election. Chairs and vice-chairs have included MPs from parties like the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party, and historically the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Committee clerks and analysts work in tandem with legislative staff drawn from the Library of Parliament and with witnesses including officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada, scientists from institutions such as the Royal Society of Canada, and representatives from non-governmental organizations like the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute.

Activities and Proceedings

The committee holds public hearings in the Parliament of Canada precinct, invites testimony from experts from universities such as the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and the Université de Montréal, and examines evidence from provincial officials of jurisdictions including Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Proceedings often address issues that intersect with federal departments like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding marine pollution, or with agencies like the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency on project reviews. It issues motions, studies departmental estimates tied to fiscal frameworks presented by ministers such as the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada), and conducts pre-budget consultations that relate to statutory instruments like the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

Reports and Legislative Impact

The committee produces reports that have influenced legislation and regulatory practice, recommending amendments to acts including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and advising on implementation of commitments under treaties like the Paris Agreement. Reports have been cited in debates in the House of Commons of Canada and considered by ministers when advancing orders-in-council or regulatory reforms registered in the Canada Gazette. Past recommendations have shaped federal responses to issues raised by investigations such as those conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and informed intergovernmental negotiations at forums like the Council of the Federation.

Studies and Inquiries

Topics of inquiry have included climate change mitigation, adaptive strategies for communities affected by extreme weather events referenced in cases like the Fort McMurray wildfire, pollution incidents such as those connected to the Exxon Valdez-type spills in comparative study, microplastics and marine debris examined alongside evidence from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and biodiversity loss intersecting with the Species at Risk Act listings. The committee has convened expert panels featuring academics from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-funded programs, Indigenous leaders from organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, and representatives of industry groups like the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

History and Evolution

Originating amid growing environmental awareness in the late 20th century, the committee's functions evolved alongside major events such as the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and national policy shifts following the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21). Its remit and practice have adapted through parliamentary reforms, changes in standing orders, and responses to high-profile environmental crises including urban air quality episodes in municipalities like Toronto and contaminated-site remediation efforts in regions such as Nunavut and the Atlantic Provinces. Over time the committee has interacted with international bodies, influenced domestic law reform, and partnered with institutions like the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to respond to emerging scientific and policy challenges.

Category:Parliamentary committees of Canada Category:Environmental policy in Canada